Rates pay for services and facilities that are either critical (i.e. wastewater management) or deemed beneficial to the community as a whole – often the things that make our district a more desirable place to live. We recognise not everyone will use every service or facility on offer, and where possible we look at other forms of revenue such as development contributions and ‘user pays’ – e.g. subsidised swimming pool entry fees.

Why have my rates gone up?

In 2017/18 our property rates have increased by an average of 5.7% across the district to cover the cost of providing our services, facilities and new projects. In the coming year we need to carry out additional work resulting from new legislative changes and improve our community resilience in an environment impacted by recent earthquakes and severe weather events, while improving our ability to deliver on our economic development strategy.

The majority of the 2017/18 average rates increase is largely unavoidable, with the funding of depreciation and inflation accounting for 4.3% and new legislatively driven compliance costs adding a further 0.2%. The council’s approach to depreciation in our current financial strategy ensures that we are putting money aside over the life of an asset so that we can replace it when it comes to the end of its useful life without providing the ratepayers of the future with a large bill.

Why is my rates increase higher than 5.7%?

Rate assessments for individual properties are driven by their land and capital value. Approximately 43% of rates are allocated on property value. This means higher valued properties will have higher rates.

Why do rates increase yearly?

While we have the fourth lowest total operating spending per ratepayer out of 67 councils, a high proportion of our costs is funded by rates.

We rely principally on rates to fund our services and maintain those services, and to cover the costs of inflation. Some of our costs – including the cost of infrastructure such as roads – are going up faster than household inflation.

What do our rates which go to Greater Wellington Regional Council pay for?

In general these rates fund: public transport – trains and buses, river management and flood protection, possum and predator control, emergency management, environmental education and sustainability, land management, regional parks and forests.

Can I get rates relief?

We are aware some of our community has financial constraints. We have a rates remission policy for those whose rates exceed 5% of their household income. Applications can be made to Council from 1 October each year. Additionally, there is also a government rates rebate scheme for low income home owners.

Homeowners facing extreme hardship may get a reduction in their rates, or we can look at postponing payments. More information on rates remissions.

How can I find out what my property valuation is?

You can find out what your property valuation is or we can confirm the new valuation amount over the phone.

Alternatively, you can go to Quotable Value and order a copy of a valuation for your property. Please note, Quotable Value charges a cost for this.